P.J. Fleck previews matchup vs. Northwestern in weekly presser

The Minnesota win over Maryland last weekend was perhaps their most complete performance of the season. The dominant 34-16 win over the Terrapins marked the third straight win for the Gophers and extended their win streak to three. It also has the Gophers tied for the top spot in the B1G West with No. 9 Iowa.

The Gophers head to Evanston, IL to take on a struggling Northwestern team as a full touchdown favorite. The Wildcats are the reigning B1G West champions, and Gophers head coach PJ Fleck is not willing to lay claim to the spot until it’s earned.

Fleck took to the podium on Monday to discuss the upcoming game with the Wildcats, along with some of his expectations from his team this weekend.

Here are some of Fleck’s comments.

PJ Fleck says he wants to see more consistency from the wide receiver room. Wants to see a better "catch radius"

Also says Tanner Morgan is playing better now than at the better of the year.

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021

PJ Fleck said Cole Kramer has been very selfless. Says he's being coached as a quarterback and as a tailback.

"I think he's doing a really good job. Does he have to get better? Yes. Does he have to lower his pad level? Yes. …But I think he's running really hard."

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021

PJ Fleck on red zone success: It comes down to efficient execution. No. 1, it's the game plan. No. 2, it's the players executing it.

"I always think you have to be able to run the ball in the green zone."

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021

Fleck says football is a game of situations. "Each play is its own situation."

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021

"They're incredibly disciplined. This is the B1G West champs," Fleck says of Northwestern.

"They're really well coached. Pat Fitzgerald has been a staple in the B1G. He gets the most out of his players."

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021

Fleck on the RBs: They all have their own skillsets. I think they all possess something different than each other. They all do unique things.

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021

Fleck on 1-game approach to the season: It's about the internal vs. the external.

They have to make sure the external is very, very quiet. It sounds like a broken record…but it matters.

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021

PJ Fleck on Jim Tressel: I get a text from him after every game. The reason why I say he's one of the most influential people in my life — I was a 6-month GA.

He taught me so much. To keep in touch with me…he constantly reaches out to me. That shows the person he is.

— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) October 25, 2021